Process and apparatus for the treatment of artificial silk



Nov. 5, 1935; A. HARTMANN ET AL 2,020,057

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ARTIFICIAL SILK Filed Jan. 24, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 17090:) Harfmam'r, lfa/fer f/Oeffng/za/f, 1 ar/ Meyer- 601/6.

Nov. 5; 1935. A. HARTMANN ET AL 2,020,057

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ARTIFICIAL SILK Filed Jan. 24, 1934 4 s t -s t 2 gwuentoz O 1935- A. HARTMANN El AL 2,020,057

PROCESS AND APPXRATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ARTIFICIAL SILK Filed Jan. 24, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 z IIIIIIIIIIIIIIA yIl'Il/I/I/i11l Npv. 5, 1935. A. HARTMANN ET AL PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ARTIFICIAL SILK Filed Jan. 24, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Nov. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ARTIFICIAL SILK August Hartmann, Berlin-Lichterfelde, Walter Hoefinghofl, Hohenlimburg Obernahmer, and Karl Meyer-Gaus, Wuppertal-Elberfeld-Ronsdori, Germany, assignors to American Bemberg Corporation, Delaware Application January 24 In Germany J 11 Claims.

during as long a time as possible for each step.

in the treating process.

It has now been found that itis'possible. to

shorten the wetor after-treatment, and at the same time make it more efiicient, if the entire surface of the treating cylinder, which is in a nearly upright position; is constantly enveloped in fresh flow of treating liquid. One manner in which this result may be achieved is by spraying the rotating cylinder. The thread is thus covered by treating liquid during its entire passage around the cylinders surface so that a complete treatment of the thread in a comparatively short path is obtained, while on the other hand a reduction 'in the diameter of the cylinder may, to a great extent, be effected. This is of particular advantage if it is necessary to subject the yarn to a thorough after-treatment 'with the various treating liquids as, for example, in the case of the viscose process. It is therefore possible to perform a number of different treatments on a single cylinder whose length need not be extended to any very great degree.

In order to preventthe different treating liquids used on-the one cylinder from mixing, one with the other, the treating liquids, after having acted upon the thread, are led into the interior of the cylinder and collected in separate containers.

The invention also consists of arranging the treating cylinder in a vertical or nearly vertical position with the spraying devices so arranged that different portions of the cylindrical surface are sprayed by different treating liquids. In order to prevent the treating liquids from mixing, the body of the cylinder may be made of a porous or penetrable clay material and a vacuum caused to act from the interior of the cylinder, so that the liquids, after covering certain portions of the cylinder, are drawn inwardly through the walls of the cylinder, from where they may be led away. An alternative cylinder construction may be effected by covering a perforated cylinder with felt or similar material.

New York, N. Y., a corporation of 1934, Serial No. 708,088 anuary 31, 1933 Another manner of separating the treating liquids may be accomplished by constructing the vertical cylinder of several ring-like sections, whereby the treating liquid, after passing one of the ring-like sections, may be led into the inte- 5 rior of the next section. This may be accomplished by having the lower edges of the ring possess a smaller circumference than the upper edge of the ring below. By using this arrangement a. stretching of the filaments will result. Due to the lower ring section being larger than the one above, the treating liquid will drip into the interior of the roller and thence be led oil.

With this manner of separation, the process would be carried out with great exactitude.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to devise a means whereby the filaments and treating liquid are advanced in a helical path on a rotating cylinder whereby the filaments are constantly being contacted with a renewed film go of treating liquid.

Another object of the present invention is to devise an improved apparatus and process for applying the after-treatment liquids in a continuous operation. 25

Still another object of the present invention is to devise a means whereby the different aftertreatment liquids are kept separated in the continuous after-treatment of the filaments.

These and other objects will in part become obvious and in part be pointed out in the following specification taken in connection with the attached drawings in which:

Figure I is a side elevation, parts being shown in section, of one form of the invention in which a. perforated cylinder covered with porous material is illustrated.

Figure II is a side elevation and part section of another form of the invention in which the treating roller is composed of cylindrical sections. 40

Figure III is a side elevation of still another form of the invention in which the treating roller is shown as composed of cylindrical sections which have interlocking notched edges.

Figure IV is an enlarged detailed perspective view illustrating, diagrammatically, a modified form of the notched edges of the cylinder illustrated in Figure III.

Figure V is an enlarged detailed section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure IV.

Figure VI is a side elevation and part section of a modified form of the invention illustrating the treating cylinder as composed of two sections having different diameters.

In the drawings in which like numerals of 55 reference indicate like parts, and referring particularly to Figure I of the drawings, the hollow treating cylinder is indicated at I having perforations 2. This cylinder I is covered with a layer of porous material 5 which may be of felt or any similar heavy fabric. The cylinder I is rotatably supported by bearings 3 and 3a mounted in a suitable manner on a support 4.

The interior of the hollow cylinder I is divided into separate compartments 6, 1 and 8 separated by conical plates 9 and I which allow liquid drawn to the interior to fiow to the center where the liquid is drawn oil by a vacuum means.

Extending through the center of compartment 6 is an outlet pipe I I which also acts as the upper axis for the cylinder I. The plate 9 abuts the end of this pipe II and acts as a seal so that any liquid drawn through the walls of the cylinder above this plate I is drawn through the inlet holes I2 of the pip: II and then drawn upwardly to a vacuum tank (not shown).

Abutting the lower side of this plate 6 and sealed thereby is an outlet pipe I3 which extends downwardly through the center of the cylinder I and also acts as an outlet for the compartment 1 by means of the outlet holes l4 adjacent the conical wall I0 dividing the compartments 1 and 8.

The compartment 8 is drained by the pipe I5 which surrounds the outlet pipe I3. The liquid is drawn through the enlarged opening I6 in the bottom of cylinder I and thence through the pipe I5 which is connected therewith. The bottom I1 of the cylinder I is concaved in order that the liquid drawn in will be forced to the center of the bottom I1 and drawn through the opening I6 to be passed through the outlet pipe I5 to a vacuum tank (not shown).

The roller I is rotated through the medium of a sprocket wheel I1 mounted on the pipe II adjacent the upper end of the cylinder I.

The filaments are first led over a guide I8, and then passed to the rotating treating cylinder I. The filaments are advanced upwardly around the cylinder I in a helical path, which path is maintained by alternately passing the filaments first around guides I9 mounted on a support 24 and then back to the roller I. The filaments pass ofi the upper end of the cylinder I to a guide and from there pass to a collecting means (not shown) Sprays 2|, 22 and 23 are so positioned that different portions of the cylinder are sprayed.

Spray 2I is so placed as to spray the upper portion of the cylinder I. Due to the vacuum created inside the chamber 6 this liquid will be drawn inwardly before reaching the central portion of the cylinder and the liquid thus drawn inwardly will be carried up the outlet pipe II to a vacuum tank.

Spray 22 is so positioned as to spray the center portion of the treating cylinder I and this liquid is drawn through the cylinder wall into the compartment 1 and carried downwardly by the outlet pipe I3 to another vacuum tank.

Spray 23 is in position to spray the lower-portion of the cylinder I and this liquid is drawn inwardly and downwardly through the outlet pipe I5 to its vacuum tank (not shown).

It is thus readily seen how the filaments in their helical passage upwardly around the cylinder I are given a thorough after-treatment with different treating liquids, which treating liquids are yet kept separate from each other in a most novel and efiicient manner.

Now referring to the modification illustrated in Figure II of the drawings it will be seen that the treating cylinder illustrated is made up of ringlike sections 25, 26 and 21.

The ring-like sections are mounted on a rotatable shaft 28 which rotates in bearings 29 and 38 mounted on a support 3|. mounted thereon a sprocket 32 whereby it may be driven.

The hollow ring-like section at its lower edge is formed to a frustro-conical shape in order to lead the treating liquid sprayed from the nozzle 33 to the interior of the ring section 26.

The ring-shamd section 26 is reduced in diameter as at 34 in order to lead the liquid from the section 25 into the circular drainage channel 35 and there be drained off through the outlet 36.

A nozzle 31 sprays the surface of the section 26. the liquid passing into the interior of the lowermost section 21 where it is deflected by the frustro-conical baiile 38 attached to the section 21 for the purpose of passing this second treating fiuid into the circular drainage channel 39 and there be drained ofi through an outlet 39a.

The lowermost ring-like section 21 is sprayed by a nozzle 40, the liquid flowing over the surface and downwardly to be caught by the drainage channel 4| and thence through the outlet 42.

The filaments are passed first over a guide 43 and thence upwardly in a helical path around the ring sections 25, 26 and 21. around thread guides 44 mounted on a support 44a in order to maintain this helical path.

After-passing from the section 25 they then pass to a guide 45 and then to a collecting means (not shown).

In this form the use of a vacuum is eliminated by substituting these ring-like sections which act to separate the treating fluids.

In the form shown in Figure III of the drawings, the treating cylinder 45 is mounted on a rotatable hollow shaft 41 at only one end in a bearing 48. In place of the hooked guides shown in the other forms described, a guiding roller 48 placed at an angle to the treating roller 46 serves to cause the filaments to pass in a helical path upwardly over the surface thereof.

This guiding roller 49 is rotatably mounted in a bearing 50.

The treating cylinder 46 consists of two hollow sections 5| and 52 which are sprayed respectively by two nozzles 53 and 54.

The adjacent edges of these sections 5| and 52 are notched, the projecting points thus formed by notching these edges are numbered 55 on the section 5I and indicated by the numeral 56 on the section 52.

The projecting edges 55 and 5B are so bent inwardly that a contact with the opposing edges is prevented. Thus the liquid sprayed from the nozzle 53 over the surface of the section 5I is led by means of the inwardly projecting edges 55 to the interior of the section 52 from which it is led oiI through the hollow shaft 41.

The liquid sprayed from the nozzle 54 on the surface of the section 52 drips into a circular channel 51 and is carried off through the outlet 58.

In Figures IV and V is illustrated a modified form of the interengaging teeth which may be used on the treating cylinder 46 illustrated in Figure III. The quadrangular teeth 59 of the upper section 5I engage with the opposing open spaces 60 of the lower section 52. In the upper section 5| the teeth 59 and portions of the cylinder body adjacent the open spaces 6I are bent inwardly, while the corresponding teeth 62 and open spaces 68 of the lower cylinder are not bent,

This shaft 28 has They are passed It is therefore readily seen that the treating liquid fiowing over the upper section ii is carried by these bent surfaces 50 and BI into the interior of the lower section 52 and drained off in the manner described in Figure III. The filaments, how ever, coming from the lower section are safely carried over this point of juncture, by riding on the projecting portions 62 which safely carries them past this point without in any way interfering with the course of the filaments.

In Figure VI is disclosed another modified form for separating the liquids used as well as imparting a stretch to the filaments. The apparatus comprises a treating roller composed of two sections of different diameter. The lower section 63 is of larger diameter than the upper section 64., The sections of the treating roller are mounted on a shaft 65 rotatably suspended from a bearing 66. The cylindrical sections are sprayed by nozzles 61 and 68. A roller 69 is suspended from. a bearing 10 at an angle to the axis of the treating cylinder in order to pass the threads in a helical path downwardly over the surface of the cylindrical sections 63 and 64. In order to carry the filaments past the junction of the two cylindrical sections 63 and 64 the filaments pass around a. guide roller H suspended from a bearing I2 in any suitable manner. V

The supports 13 and 14 which connect the cylindrical section 63 to the shaft 65 are perforated at I! in order to allow the used treating liquid from the cylinder G4 to pass through. The lower support 14 is conically tapered at 16 so that this liquid is led into the inner portion 11 of the drainage collector where it is then passed through the outlet I8;

The treating liquid which is sprayed on the cylinder 63 by the nozzle 68 is collected in the outer section 19 of the drainage collector and passes off through the outlet 80.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought the complete construction, operation and advantages of the invention will be clear to those skilled in the art to which it relates.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device for use in the wet treatment of formed filaments, in combination, a hollow cylindrical roller over which the filaments are passed in a helical path, said roller mounted on a substantially vertical axis, means for applying different treating liquids simultaneously at spaced points to said filaments while on said roller, and means operative with said roller for keeping the different treating liquids substantially separated.

2. In a device for use in the wet treatment of formed filaments, in combination, a hollow cylindrical roller over which the filaments are passed in a helical path, said roller mounted on a substantially vertical axis, said roller having a porous cylindrical surface, means for applying difierent treating liquids simultaneously at spaced points to said filaments while on said roller, and means operative with said roller for keeping the different treating liquids substantially separated.

3. In a device for use in the wet treatment of formed filaments, in combination, a hollow cylindrical roller over which the filaments are passed in a helical path, said roller mounted on a substantially vertical axis, said roller having a perforated cylindrical surface covered with a porous material, means for applying different treating liquids simultaneously at spaced points to said filaments while on said roller, and means operative with said roller for keeping the different treating liquids substantially separated. a

4. In a device for use in the wet treatment of formed filaments, in combination, a hollow rotatable cylindrical treating roller over which fila- 5 ments are passed in a helical path, said roller mounted on a substantially vertical axis, means for applying different treating liquids simultaneously at spaced points to said filaments while on said roller, said roller comprising a plurality of cylindrical sections, said sections having conical lower portions which project inside of the cylindrical portion of the lower adjacent sections, each lower section directing the flow of treating liquid from the section above whereby the different treating liquids are kept substantially separated.

5. In a device for use in the wet treatment of formed filaments, in combination, a hollow cylindrical roller over which the filaments are 20 passed, said roller mounted on a substantially vertical axis, means for guiding said filaments in a helical path over the surface of said roller, means for applying different treating liquids simultaneously at spaced points to said filaments while on said roller, and means operative with said roller for keeping the difierent treating liquids substantially separated.

6. In a device for use in the wet treatment of formed filaments, in combination, a hollow cylindrical roller over which. the filaments are passed, saidroller mounted on a substantially vertical axis, a guiding roller having its axis at an angle to the axis of said hollow roller whereby the filaments in passing around said 85 guide roller are guided in a helical path over the surface of said hollow roller, means for applying difi'erent treating liquids simultaneously at spaced points to said filaments while on said roller, and means operative with said hollow cylindrical roller 40 for keeping the different treating liquids substantially separated.

7. In a device for use in the wet treatment 01' formed filaments, in combination, a hollow cylindrical roller over which the filaments are 4 passed in a helical path, said roller mounted on a substantially vertical axis said roller comprising a plurality of cylindrical sections, means for applying different treating liquids simultaneously at spaced points to said filaments while passing around said sections, said sections being of different diameters, the upper of adjacent sections being of a smaller diameter than the lower whereby the treating liquid draining from the upper of the adjacent cylindrical sections will pass into the interior of the lower adjacent sections thus keeping the different treating liquids substantially separated.

8. In a device for use in the wet treatment of formed filaments, a hollow cylindrical roller over which the filaments pass, said roller mounted on a substantially vertical axis means for guiding the filaments in a helical path over the surface of said roller, said roller comprising a plurality of cylindrical sections, means for applying difierent treating liquids simultaneously at spaced points to said filaments while passing around said sections, said sections being of different diameters, the upper of adjacent sections being of a smaller diameter than the lower whereby the treating liquid draining from the upper of the adjacent cylindrical sections will pass into the interior of the lower adjacent sections thus keeping the difierent treating liquids substantially separated. 7

9. In a device for use in the wet treatment of formed filaments, in combination, a hollow cylindrical roller over which the filaments are passed, said roller mounted on a substantially vertical axis, a guiding roller having its axis at an angle to the axis of said hollow roller whereby the filaments in passing around said guide roller are guided in a helical path over the surface of said hollow roller, said roller comprising a plurality of cylindrical sections, means for applying difterent treating liquids simultaneously at spaced points to said filaments while passing around said sections, said sections being of different diameters, the upper of adjacent sections being of a smaller diameter than the lower whereby the treating liquid draining from the upper 01 the adjacent cylindrical sections will pass-into the interior of the lower adjacent sections thus keeping the diiferent treating liquids substantially separated.

10. In a process for producing artificial filaments, the steps of passing the filaments in a helical path around a rotating cylinder mounted on a substantially vertical axis, passing difierent treating liquids simultaneously at spaced points over the filaments and keeping the treating liquids separate.

11. In a device for use in the wet treatment 0! formed filaments, a hollow cylindrical roller over which the filaments pass, said roller mounted on a substantially vertical axis, a guiding roller having its axis at an angle to the axis 01 said hollow roller whereby the filaments in passing around said guide roller are guided in a helical path over the surface of said hollow roller, means for applying difierent treating liquids simultaneously at spaced points to said filaments while on said 15 roller, and means operative with said roller for keeping the different treating liquids substantially separated.

AUGUST HARTMANN. WALTER HOEFINGHOFF. KARL MEYER-GAUS. 

